1) You aren't going to get kicked off Poulan Island for stating an honest, fact based opinion.
2) Slip over to the boneyard and grab a flywheel that is made correctly from one on the hundreds of throw away's that you have been given and you're all set.
3) I've never encountered a problem setting the ignition, or seen that the case was problematic. On the contrary I find it to be a MUCH better case than any of the "other brands" $109.00 saws have.
4) That chain can be about as good as any (similar) with a good file and a few minutes.
5) I believe that almost ALL of the small carbs now are made in the same place.
6) Any carb can give one fits if it has been abused, neglected or the needles switched around!
7) The engineering is VERY sound and what kind of execution do you think $109.00 should buy?
8) If you paid $180.00 for a 4218, you need to call the cops..............you've been robbed!
And finally, I wasn't comparing the 4218 or any of its brethren to a REAL saw. I was comparing it to the 180 Stihl which is a saw in its class. Don't make the mistake that so many here do and evaluate the Poulan homeowner saws based on the knowledge you have of well made pro or semi pro saws. The homeowner class saws can never stack up to a pro saw, just as the best Toyota pickup ever made can't pull what a Mack can.
They were designed and built cheap..............to sell to cheap people.
I will say that it is amazing what those little saws are capable of if given proper care, maintenence, a good diet and allowed to work at their own pace.
Mike
